Last Updated on June 17, 2022
The purpose of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve is to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy and performance. Not only that, but it also cuts down on emissions because it allows exhaust gasses to flow back through the cylinders to get burned again.
The EGR valve even cuts down the emissions of NOx gases and allows the warmer exhaust to flow into the engine once again. As a result, the mixture of fuel and air won’t have to work so hard to maintain the operating temperature of the engine.
So what happens when you have a bad EGR valve? Here are 3 of the most common signs of a faulty EGR valve.
3 Bad EGR Valve Symptoms
#1 – Check Engine Light
If the “Check Engine” light on your vehicle’s dashboard turns on, your car’s computer is letting you know there is a problem with a specific part or system in your vehicle. One possibility is a bad EGR valve.
Usually, the computer of the vehicle will be able to sense the position or circuit of the EGR valve. If it senses an issue with one of these, the Check Engine light will illuminate and then the driver can use a diagnostic scanner or take it to a mechanic to confirm the issue.
Since an illuminated Check Engine light can indicate any of over a hundred issues, a specific trouble code relating to the part will need to appear. A few common trouble codes for an EGR problem are P0400, P0401, P0402, P0403, P0404, P0405. Check various online resources to verify what the actual trouble code means.
#2 – Reduced Engine Power
If there is an EGR valve problem, the first symptom you’ll notice is a performance problem with the engine. If your EGR valve is malfunctioning or just clogged, the air-to-fuel ratio of your vehicle will be disrupted.
This will cause all kinds of engine problems like a reduction in acceleration, fuel efficiency, and power.
#3 – Rough Engine Idle
A common symptom that arises from a bad EGR valve in a vehicle is something called rough idle where the RPM fluctuates and/or drops below a certain threshold.
When malfunctioning occurs with EGR valves, they end up stalling in their open position. Then a rough idle condition will form from the recirculation of the exhaust gas, no matter if there are desirable conditions or not.
See Also: P0325 (Knock Sensor Malfunction)
EGR Valve Replacement Cost
Best places to order parts? See: 19 Best Online Auto Parts Stores
The average cost of replacing the EGR valve in your vehicle is anywhere from $250 to $350 on average, depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model as well as the type of system it has.
The cost of parts will be somewhere around $190 to $270, while the cost of labor will be anywhere from $60 to $80. Of course, these costs estimates don’t factor in the fees and taxes that will get added onto the total as well.
When you get the replacement done, the service should include an EGR transducer test, inspection of vacuum hoses connected to the EGR valve, a clearing of all the trouble codes, a cleaning of carbon deposits from the EGR pintle, and a test of the EGR valve to ensure it operates smoothly.
EGR Valve Maintenance Tips
Every 50,000 miles, you should have an air induction service done on your vehicle because it will clean the carbon and sludge that accumulates in your vehicle’s air intake system.
And, of course, get regular oil changes too, because it will reduce the chances of sludge accumulating in your engine.
Thanks for the information
Thanks that was very helpful.👍
I drove to an auto zone to apply their equipment because my engine light stays on. It says I need to replace the shift solenoid. I was going to take it to transmission guy but instead to the local mechanic and he placed his scope and said the egr exhaust gas circulation valve is bad. Upon reading stuff online I found out that the egr valve can be cleaned. The engine light stays on and I won’t be able to pass smog. Can anyone help please,
Defer to your local mechanic. Perhaps a cleaning is all it needs, but he should know if it needs a replacement or not.
I swore I had EGR valve issues based on all what I read. I had a check engine light and the vibrations etc.
What I did was change my air filter, put in a full tank of BP premium removed and then retightened my gas cap.
Within a day my check engine light was off. Before you get a diagnostic you can try this first.
That code may still be stored even though the light turned off. Do you know what the check engine light was for?
We purchased our Ford Ranger in 2016 just a year old. We’ve had nothing but trouble with this since we bought it. We have taken it to be checked so many times and even had video of it when all these issues happen and yet each time been told they can see something is going on however the computer shows nothing. They even told us it was a common issue with this model and a real pain to fix. We have never missed a service and have looked after the car.
Well of course warranty runs out and hello we’ve had to take it several times since and today been told it’s the EGR Valve and it’ll cost us $1300 today to have it replaced. It’s the week before Christmas and we have 4 adult children with 9 Grandchildren. They knew that’s what was wrong with it when it was still under warranty yet it was never looked at other than checking it on the computer. I’m so darn mad. $1300 is a lot the week before Christmas to find especially now I’m disabled and cannot work. Oh well I guess all part and parcel of owning a car but I am cranky this wasn’t fixed the myriad of times we took it in to be looked at while still under warranty…
You could try writing to Ford’s Customer Service dept to ask if there is any “good will” contribution available. My 2016 Mini needed a replacement module and the bill came in at just short of €1,000. I contacted BMW and explained that I was disappointed that a well-looked after car with FSH should develop a fault of this nature etc, and after an exchange of several emails, they gave me a discount voucher of €250. I knew it was optimistic to expect a full refund but I suppose it was at least something.
I am sorry this happened to you, and in your circonstances.
Almost same for me, I have a motorhome Fiat Ducato, all services done in time and more, even travelling 200 kms to have it done by a Fiat specialist in Nambour QLD. Each time, I pickup my van from them, sometimes only few kms sometime more something else would fault. The last one, my engine light showed in August, I drive to them, all good.3 months later, same, they say it’s the turbocharger. $7,500. But there is no part in Australia. And from Italy it will take 8 weeks after Christmas break. They wanted me to pay up front. I refused. They don’t want my business anymore.
I am waiting after the break for a second opinion. Maybe it’s the valve that needs to be cleaned, which they should have done at services time.
Is this an Australian website.
No, we are based in the US.
I drive a 2010 Jeep Wrangler and the dealership also want &1,150 to replace the RGR value. I see now the part cost around $250. These dealerships are a racket!!
Ive got an issue with my Hyundai santa fe- it is 17 years old and done 105,000 miles so far. Been serviced regularly, oil changed on schedule, filters on schedule. I use regular diesel fuel treatment to keep the fule intake and diesel injectors clean and alternate the diesel injector treatments through the tank with twice yearly DPF cleaning stuff.
Noted the car was struggling to accelerate and was having periods of little to no grunt or engine pick up when trying to accelerate. Then this led to difficulties starting the car where the diesel would fire up then putter out a few seconds later. Been told it is the EGR valve- fortunately its a hyundai and not a ford ranger- total cost for repair £275 British pounds sterling- that is reasonable if I can keep the old tank on the road and not have to fork out to buy a new car.
I think any EGR replacement costing anything more than 600-700 USD is going to be a rip off- shop around and try somewhere else- you could even buy the part yourself and get a mechanic to fit it.